"Consecration is the only surrender which is also a victory" -Elder Maxwell

Mi familia!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a great week! I am so glad you are a part of the family.

It was so great to recieve your letters today! I loved them.  I feel so lucky to have such great family.

This week has been truly trying.  I have truly never felt Satan working so hard in my life.  It's almost amusing.  I felt so worn down.  Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong.... all week long.  Sister Gneiting has had a very difficult time being here... and it's been hard to help her find the joy.  She's a sweetheart.. I love her so much.... she is just going through a lot.  I've learned so much about agency and hope this week.

For whatever reason........... I've come to feel like trials are my responsibility and they are not.  I think because we spend our lives influencing progress and can make a difference, I feel like failure is our fault.  I'm learning a lot.  I'm learning to truly trust in the Lord and see what HE sees.  Not what I see. From the trials this past week.... I was feeling very weighed down.  It's been hard enough to keep the spirit in our companionship let alone apply ourselves fully to the work.  I felt responsible.... for her unhappiness, and for not being able to give our investigators the type of appointments they need.  It's been very trying.....

We went to a spanish training last week....... and to be honest....... at first I felt so excited! I wanted to apply myself even more and I love this language........ but then it overwhelmed me, because poor sister gneiting was really struggling..... she was on the verge of tears through the meeting as it was all in spanish and she's having a difficult time with it.  My heart goes out to her.... and I have no idea how to help her gain the energy and fire..... so it overhwhelmed me and I felt responsible for one more trial.

Immediately after the training, Presdient Miller asked to talk with me.  I am so very grateful for inspired leaders.  I don't know how he knew.  He took the time to work through things with me and gave me a blessing that truly helped so much.

Heavenly Father is proud of us for fighting the fight.

Satan wants to make us feel like it's hopeless.

Agency is a precious gift and I cannot wish it away...... even for someone's good.

I'm learning to surrender to the Lord and His will in His way.

I'm learning so much.

After the training things got harder, but I applied the lesson I learned and it solidified.  I felt truly tested but I know I learned and I feel so much peace in the wind. 

Yesterday we had the opportunity to attend the temple.  President Miller asked us to ride with a member to the temple.  That was a difficult challenge for us.  We have few members, even less endowed, and none in the above category's without atleast one job.  We have asked for a month and I just didn't think it could happen.  Finally a less active member agreed and we were so excited for her to regain fire.... until the day before, she canceled.  We felt very stressed but didn't give up.  We tried two other situations and they both fell through.... It just plain felt like Satan was NOT going to let us attend the temple.  Finally, the morning of, a ride came through and we were able to leave..... I felt so overwhelmed. As we got there and the session began.... I felt stress seeping away.  By the time it was over, sitting there amongst all the white, I just felt overwhelming peace.  Seeing so many friendly faces, dear President and Sister Miller... she sat and talked with me for a time about everything.  It has never felt so clear.  The world lifted and heaven remained.  I can see God's will. 

I felt like I had been holding to the iron rod with all I had through the mists of darkness, and now I could finally see.  It was so peaceful.  He answered my questions.  I know what I need to do. 

And now, even though I am back amongst the mist of darkness... I cannot erase the tree from my mind.  I know God's will.  I know He loves me.  I know now, more than ever He is here, around me, bearing me up. 

The sister who ended up driving us from the english ward offered to feed us dinner last night and I am amazed at how that changed EVERYTHING.  It GAVE us fire.  Sister Gneiting changed so much. Their examples and the spirit there was so strong.  And as it turns out, her husband served a spanish speaking mission and would love to help us with teaching, and having family home evenings in their home.  I feel so humbled.  No wonder Satan was working so hard. 

That's the biggest thing this past session taught me.  He is always angry, he is always working hard.  But if we just submit to God's will and ride the course through......... the peace and joy will come.  The reason will come.  This life is meant to be difficult to help us grow, just as Adam and Eve.

As I came home, I listened to this song on the new EFY CD.

It changed everything.....

"Let it Begin" by Julie Yardley

You might think

That no one's been through what you're going through. 

And you might think

that nobody's made the same mistakes as you. 

You are feeling 

the weight of the world on your shoulders,

turn it over. 

Just have the courage to take one step,

someone's going to be there to help with the rest. 

To start is the hardest

but it's something that only you can do. 

Don't carry the burden as the years go by. 

You don't need that crushing weight in your life. 

Have faith to pray for the strength to finally see this through. 

There's one who nkows you perfectly

he can take the hurt away.

The healing starts within

just let Him in.

And let it begin.

You've tried hard to hide from the past and to bury it deep. 

You're overwhelmed by all of the things that you know you should be.

Just believe. 

Mistakes of the past don't define you,

they refine you. 

Just have the courage to take one step,

someone's going to be there to help with the rest. 

To start is the hardest but it's something that only you can do. 

Don't carry the burden as the years go by. 

You don't need that crushing weight in your life. 

Have faith to pray for the strength to finally see this through. 

There's one who knows you perfectly

he can take the hurt away.

The healing starts within

just let Him in.

And let it begin.

As we turn life to Him, he will guide.

I love you all so much and wish I had more time......... but Sister Gneiting is having a hard time... I need to go help.

Love you.

I'll write more next week.

Love,

Hermana Jardine

Our Car

Our Place

Our Door

Rail Runner Double Decker Train

 ha... we laughed so hard :) "trade real indians" :)

Bundled up

Star gazing on a hard night

Made it to the Temple

The Temple

April 4, 2011

So....

This will be quick.  I only have ten minutes... or less. We were in Albuquerque today picking up materials and finishing preparations.

 

Things switched around.  Sister Gneiting was having a very difficult time and was suffering from many things.  She is such a sweetheart.  It was a very difficult transfer.  The work slipped out of our grasp.  It was all we could do to keep our heads above the water.  I started to no longer feel like myself. 

We got ET'd on saturday night. 

Sister Gneiting is now home and I am now serving with Sister Eteaki, still in Santa Fe.  She is one of my very best friends.  We were in the MTC together.  She's tongan.  We never dreamed we would get the chance to be companions, she was an english speaking missionary.  Now her call is modified, she is learning spanish and I am learning tongan from her. :) I never dreamed it would happen... but I can say... I KNOW my heavenly father loves me.  Without her help right now, I couldn't do this.  Heavenly Father loves me... I feel so incredibly blessed.  Our apartment truly is home.

 

I cannot believe how I have seen the hand of my Savior this week.  Every moment when I felt I couldn't go on, I did.  He gave me the strength to endure and endure well.  The past month has pushed and tested me but I know it was for my good.  He wanted to see how much I trusted Him, I hope I endured well.  I KNOW he hears and answers my prayers... having her by my side right now... I am overwhelmed with gratitude. 

 

I know our Saviour lives.  This gospel is true.  I was overwhelmed at witnessing these apostles of the Lord, looking me in the eye and stating what the Lord would have me hear.  It pierced my soul.  We are not alone.  We are strong.  I stand by you.  We are on the front lines of this battle against Satan but we will not lose.

 

Let us endure to the end and enjoy every moment.

 

I love you and will have more time to write next week. 

 

Hermana Jardine

January 30, 2011

Every time I think I can't love you all more.... I do. :)

Every time I think I can't love mission life more.... I do. :)

Every time I think I can't love the gospel more.... I do. :)

Every time I think I can't possibly meet any more amazing people.... I do. :)

And every time I think I can't possibly be happier... I am :)

 

This week has been absolutely incredible. 

I was invited to attend a leadership meeting as a trainer, and so we went on exchanges for a few days in albuquerque.   We stayed with our favorite sisters!!! Sister Eteaki and Sister Kinikini... amazing!! Sister Eteaki and I are friends from the MTC and trained for the first time just barely together.  And Sister Kinikini and Sister Perez are also good friends from the MTC.  We got to stay with them and when Sister Eteaki and I went to the trainings everyday (the only sisters), Sister Kinikini and Sister Perez stayed in their area and worked.  It truly was one of the best weeks I've had on the mission.  I love those girls!!!! The training was absolutely incredible.  I feel like a better person let alone missionary.  We learned so much!! I love President and Sister Miller.  And so many other incredible missionaries that have become our good friends.  I absolutely love my mission. 

At night we got to do work in their area with them.  It was so fun to meet new people and teach in english for a little while.  We all kept laughing saying it was too fun to be work.  I love those girls.  They even made us authentic tongan food! ;) One night, we got to go out on their balcony/roof and star gaze..... Taking in the peace around us.... just looking up at the heavens and knowing life is good.  It helped me to see the big picture... and feel nothing but absolute peace.  I loved every minute.  It was such an incredible push for Sister Perez and I.  We didn't realize how much we need to relax a little more and enjoy every minute.  I learned so much from them..... I swear people don't know HOW to be stressed in Tonga, and why should we be??? haha. :) It made me realize that worrying in life can wear you out.  "Worry about what you can change, and forget about the rest". Leave it in God's hands and enjoy it. 

It taught us so much.  And it has changed the work. 

Maybe i needed my own advice last week... to leave things in his hands after we've done our part... and just enjoy life. :)

 

It's a lesson I hope I always remember from them.

 

This week the work has been great.....

We had ward conference and were able to meet our stake presidency yesterday.  It was so neat to talk with them about the progress in our branch.  I am so proud of our little 'camino real' branch.  :) I love them so much.

The work is pressing forward.  Estrella and Bianca (Nery & Amariris's daughters, 18 and 16) are making some big changes in their lives.  I am so proud of those girls.  They are so strong.  And so many others are really progressing.  The work is incredible.

 

Last night we had the opportunity to watch the Joseph Smith movie with Estrella, Bianca, Melissa, Rafael and Edward.  Never in my life has that movie been so incredibly powerful. 

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for that man. 

He gave everything for us.... this gospel.

His unwavering conviction. 

I hope I can live worthy and follow his example. 

I have never had a firmer testimony that this IS the restored gospel.......

Joseph Smith WAS a prophet of God.....

And Thomas S. Monson IS OUR prophet today. 

God lives.

He loves us.

 

There is no more important think in our life to know, care, or worry about than just that. 

 

I love you all and pray for you.

 

Be strong and big hugs....

Seed.

***If this ends up being shorter, we're heading to Albuquerque today for exchanges..... we're at a different library and were told we only get 20 minutes! I'll type fast!!!! Sorry if there aren't any pics this week! :)

First off..... Steph! Thank you so much for the Cd's! We love them!!!! I've really come to learn on a mission how much music affects you.  It really humbled me! Thank you!!!

I love you and am praying for you.

The first song we listened to was Temporary Home, by Carrie Underwood.  I remember how much it impressed me months ago at Sister McDermed's funeral.  But listening to it now really leveled me.  It really helped me to see that this really is just a stop, on the way to where we're going.  :) We'll all be on the other side together..... and the end isn't the end.

How are you my amazing family?!?! :) I love you all so much!!! How is life going? I know it's busy! But keep taking it easy and taking it in!!! :)

I finished reading D&C this morning, and section 138 really stuck out to me and has left me feeling different this morning.  It talks so much of the spirit world, and a verse that stuck out to me spoke about choice spirits chosen to serve as missionaries in the spirit world.  I couldn't help but remember Chris Dorius.  That was all so long ago it feels like a dream.

His example still stands out to me.  I was overwhelmed with just feeling he is doing this same work on the other side.  I KNOW that when Christ comes again, he will have the chance to have and raise a family, and be with them forever.  But I know, for now, he is just serving an extended mission.  I admire his strength.  I know Grandpa and Grandma Gardner are excellent missionaries over there, using the strong testimonies they gained in this life.  How neat to be serving along side prophets of old in this great work.  I am so proud of those working on the other side of the veil and am honored to know them.

I have come to gain a strong firm faith and testimony in the plan of salvation. 

I KNOW this isn't it.

This is just one stop on the way to where we're going and we need to make the most of it.  I can't wait for the day when we are all at our destination peacefully together on the otherside.  :) What an incredible thing to look forward to.

This week has been incredible!

Estrella will be baptized this sunday!!! :) I am SO very excited for her.  It's such a neat feeling to have seen someones progression from start to finish.  To truly be a tool in the Lord's hand. I love that girl and she will be a friend for life! She has been so strong! And truly let this be a conversion in her life! I am so proud of her!!! I am amazed at her testimony! She has overcome so much.  She's 18 yet she's stronger than most adults I know.  She truly is applying this and letting it change her life.  She's been through a lot.  I am so excited for her.  Last night we were able to meet with her and plan all her last preparations.... to reconfirm on the power of baptism. I am so proud of her.  I love her.

We have been blessed with working with SO many incredible people this week!! I cannot believe how much our lessons have changed as we've strived for exact obedience and perfect diligence.  We've truly learned to work with the spirit and we literally can't keep up with the work!!! We have SO many incredible investigators we are working with on changing their lives and all of them are progressing down the path!!! There are just plain TOO many good people in Santa Fe!!! :) haha.  What an incredible blessing!! I PRAY I have more time here.  I love this place.  It's become a part of me and I love these people.  I hardly want to come up for air! I just want to spend my life serving them!!!

I love you all and I want you to know your savior LIVES and he LOVES you. 

I LOVE YOU.
I am running out of time so I'll send this quick.

Please know you are in my prayers.

Se fuerte.

Hey Hey Hey amazing family!!!!

I hope you all had an aboslutely amazing day!!!!!!! :) You are all constantly in my prayers and I know the rough river is polishing you all.  You are stronger better people than the family I left and I am so glad to be a part of you. 

It's been a long hard GOOD week here in Santa Fe!

It's been FREEZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not exactly sure as to the whole situation, but there have been black outs and gas outages all over Texas and Santa Fe lately.  They ran out of natural gas or something.  And it's just so happened to be the coldest week here since the 90's.  FREEZING.  We've had to leave all our water running to keep pipes from freezing and we've learned how to bundle up! Than, you SOO much for the warm clothes... they've helped so much.  Now I know why they eat so much hot food here..... it makes you feel warm even when you're not.  :) Our Jalepenos have been put to good use this week.... never thought I'd like to snack on them..... ha.  How we change. 

It's been a neat opportunity to see our stake and branch unify in the crisis though.  Of helping each other stay warm and stay strengthened. 

Our investigators are progressing trememdously this week.  Estrella is going to be baptized so soon!!! I am SO excited for her! She will be a lifelong friend! Her family is so closely following.  I am amazed at the miracle and it's been so incredible to see her testimony grow over the past few months.  She is so strong.  So good. 

A large miracle this week has been Miguel Angel.  He is such a sweet man.  His daughters are our age and live with him.  Their friend their age passed away last week from Leukemia.  They've had a very difficult time.  It was so neat to speak with him about the plan of salvation.  He was very sweet and concerned about Dad.... especially since they are the same age.   He always asks about him and asks if he can do anything.  I am amazed at his faith and how he has been progressing.  He came to church for the first time this sunday............ I can't count the blessings.  I love these people.

Sunday we had the INCREDIBLE opportunity to listen to President Monson, Elder Ballard, and Sister Dibb this sunday for stake conference.... they broadcasted for Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.  It was amazing.  It was absolutely the best sunday we've had EVER! SOOOOO many miracles happened.  SO many came to church that we've been trying to get to come for so long! It was an absolute miracle!!! I've begun to see how SO many more of them happen when we have true faith in them.  I am amazed at how absolutely incredibly happy I can be. 

The line that stuck out to me the most from Thomas S. Monson's talk was the phrase "Leave your nets and follow me"...  That scripture never stood out to me so much before but this week it did. Whatever our 'nets' are....... the things that hold us from the true focus in life, the true happines.... our real purpose..... they just plain aren't worth our worry.  They are worth our work and effort, but sometimes we must leave them behind and follow him.  He will take care of you.  He will provide.  Whatever your most difficult care or worry is this week............ trust him.  Leave your nets and follow him.

Please.

“He is your beloved Heavenly Father, who seeks your good, your happiness. He desires with all the love of a perfect and pure Father that you reach your supernal destination. . . . All you have to do is trust your Heavenly Father. Trust Him enough to follow His plan.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Your Happily Ever After,” Ensign, May 2010, 127

I want you to know I love you all dearly and with all of my heart.
Please be strong.
Let the nets go.
He will take care of you.
And I still love and miss you,

Hermana Jardine
Seed.

P.S. Found out this funny side note this week............. My literal spanish name:          Lindsay Lorraine Jardine Gardner    (translation can be, Seed Garden Gardner....... The joke is I need to marry a 'Flores' because they my name could be seed garden gardner of flowers... ha............... I love my heritage!!! :)

 

Pics:

1- Guatemala gifts! :) "Guatever" (Pronounced.... "Whatever") :)

2- $4 Target boots to sleep in!

3-Bundlin up in the house

4-Sushi lunch days!

"There are those among you who, although young, have already suffered a full measure of grief and sorrow. My heart is filled with compassion and love for you. How dear you are to the Church. How beloved you are of your Heavenly Father. Though it may seem that you are alone, angels attend you. Though you may feel that no one can understand the depth of your despair, our Savior, Jesus Christ, understands. He suffered more than we can possibly imagine, and He did it for us; He did it for you. You are not alone."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Your Happily Ever After," Ensign, May 2010, 126

"Faith as the assurance of things hoped for looks to the future. This assurance is founded upon a correct understanding about, and trust in, God and enables us to 'press forward' (2 Nephi 31:20) into uncertain and often challenging situations in the service of the Savior."

David A. Bednar

Mi familia,


> I love you all so much.

>
> I'm so sorry we're emailing so late. Because of the holiday and

> transfers and lots of crazy experiences we're a few days late!

>
> This week has been incredible. Hard and SOOOO much progress.

> This field has been cultivated and cared for so long that now we're

> hardly able to keep up with the progress. We have so many now working

> towards baptism and more everyday. I am absolutely amazed. I am so

> grateful to be here another transfer and help these incredible people.

> They have become my own and I love them so very much.

> I feel like we've finally got a hand on the work.. Sister Perez and I

> work so well together and are so good at rolling with the punches. We

> put our heart and soul into it, and are doing so good. We're teaching

> an english class a few nights a week and playing soccer as a finding

> activity. We're also helping with family history. I can't believe

> the changes this area has been making.

>

> Even through the rough dry times we've had faith, we've known there is

> good ahead and we've worked for it. I've come to gain a strong

> testimony of "Miracles coming after the trial of our faith". Our

> faith has been tried and now I can't believe the miracles.

>

> On monday we recieved a text message from the referral system giving

> us a name referred from the website for us. After much opposition we

> were finally able to give him a call. Miguel Angel. Incredible man.

> He's dad's age and has children our age, though all in Mexico. Just

> talking to him on the phone, I have never heard someone so ready. He

> was so humble.... he'd been waiting. He'd given the church a thought

> a time or two but he has come to truly believe it for himself and

> wants to change his life. I truly have never met someone quite like

> him. These people are examples to me.

> He lives in a trailer with quite a few other broken sweet people

> trying to make a living. Including a sweet handicapped young man

> about our age, Luis. Just seeing how they are with him, feeding him

> and taking care of him, really humbled me. They are absolutely

> incredible people. And it seems all his friends are also so eager to

> learn. They've come to the english classes as well and we can hardly

> keep up with it all!

>

> We've also been working a lot with Nery & Amariris's family. (They

> have a few kids here in the states, all grown up, the youngest is 16)

> They are SO CLOSE!!!!! And we've seen miracles with their children. I

> absolutely cannot believe the change in that family. From hurt,

> dissinterested and fighting to stay together. To warm, loving,

> cultivating unity and craving the gospel. We hardly have enough time.

> We've started teaching each of them individually which has been

> incredible!!! They've been craving the gospel so for so long.

>

> Last night we taught one of their Daughters Estrella, and gave her her

> own book of Mormon. She is such a sweetheart. She's 18 and

> beautiful! But she has such a good head on her shoulders! We had the

> most incredible conversation about prayer, and it was incredible to

> see her understanding and love for the gospel. She is so ready.

> I have never seen anyone so ready.

>

> It's truly opened my eyes that all situations in life are like Santa

> Fe. We can easily find the hardships, trials, and darkness. It's

> hard not to be overwhelmed by it. But I know Satan only puts that in

> front of us when there is something so incredible ahead he doesn't

> want us to see or get to. Working hard and having faith, trusting our

> Heavenly Father in the good here has turned my heart and soul around

> and taught me so very much. This is his work and he will never allow

> it to fail. When we strive to see things through his eyes, we cannot

> comprehend nor handle the joy.

> There truly aren't words.

> I love Santa Fe.

> I love you all so much.

> Don't let the mists of Darkness discourage you, for they are only

> there to try to keep us from seeing the trees of life.

>

> If there wasn't good ahead, Satan wouldn't try.

>

> Never give him the upperhand.

>

> You are all so incredibly strong and I am honored to call you my family.

>

> I love you and pray for you constantly.

>

> Your baby girl,

>

> Hermana Lindsay Jardine

How are you all this week??


This week has been another amazing week in Santa Fe. We find out about transfers on Saturday. I really hope we are both staying, but we'll always follow wherever we're called. I love my companion and I love this area so much. She is so strong and such an example for me. It's been a rough week for her and it breaks my heart. Keep her in your prayers. I love her. I feel so blessed to have seen and been a part of the turn around here. I am absolutely amazed. Our numbers as a branch for sacrament meeting have been in the 30's.... last sunday we had over 70. I am so amazed at how it has turned around. These people are incredible and have become even closer to us and each other. I can't tell you the miracles we've had bringing members to visit one another and strengthening one another. It's been incredible!!! I love the members here. 


One incredible story....


We were able to meet a sweet sister from Guatemala who has been inactive for over 7 years. We had an appointment with her last week.... as we talked, her pain unfolded. I can only imagine what she's been through. Her tears at the pain of past years. As we gave her a hug and talked to her.... she felt like family. Sister Perez made the note afterward that it was an overwhelming feeling of answering someone's prayers.... I know someone had been praying for her and I am so grateful to be Heavenly Father's hand and show her his love. She's been working 2-3 minimum wage jobs at a time to singlehandedly put her 6 children through school down there. All strong members of the church. Some of which attended EFY while I was down there! How sad is it that I have seen her children more recently than she has. She has become family to us. I absolutely love her and don't know how she's done it. After we met, she stayed to help us set up for an activity. She didn't want to go home. She's been to church and been a great help since. She is now a strong active member of the church! She's incredible. I love her. We've cried and laughed with her. And she will be someone I will always stay in touch with.


I love you all so much and pray for you daily.
Please be strong and know I love you.
I'm out of time, backed up at the library.
Love you and talk to you next week.
 
Sister Jardine